Naltrexone is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of opiate and prescription opioid abuse and addiction because it stops the activity of opiates. It is also used in the management of alcohol dependence as it apparently lessens the addict's need to consume alcohol. Naltrexone comes in tablet form, or there is an extended-release injection that can be given once per every four weeks, although the injection can cost up to $1,100 per month.
The difference between Naltrexone and other medications used to treat opiate addiction is that unlike Methadone which is an agonist and is not unlike heroin, Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist, and blocks the effects of opioid medications. Someone who has been abstaining from all opioid meds for 7-10 days can begin treatment with Naltrexone, but they will have to remain off all other opioid drugs while taking the medication. This would include taking Methadone or similar maintenance therapy meds, due to the fact that taking Naltrexone along with these kinds of drugs can cause sudden withdrawal reactions.
Naltrexone is meant to be used along with a comprehensive Ithaca rehab program which would include counseling, behavioral modification, lifestyle changes, and compliance monitoring.
There are 3 Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers offering this service in Ithaca, NY
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